Bizspace Spotlight

The devil is in the details when it comes to projecting the right image at a job… more

After nearly 30 years as an executive recruiter, I sometimes think I’ve seen and heard it all. But when it comes to making the all-important positive first impression on a job interview, every day brings the potential for a new horror story.

The devil is in the details when it comes to projecting the right image at a job… more

A candidate for a position in a financial institution followed the rules when it came to dressing for the interview. She wore a traditional gray suit and black closed-toe pumps. She carried a black portfolio and purse and limited her jewelry to a conservative pair of earrings and a watch.Overall, she felt confident that she appeared ready to walk into the position for which she was applying.

She was ushered into a conference room where she interviewed with a group of three executives. She felt on top of her game, able to respond effectively to the group’s questions and to ask pertinent questions of her own. The meeting went well, and she received the job offer.

End of story? Unfortunately, no.

A few days after she started her new job, a co-worker told her that the back of her skirt had been caught in her panty hose during the entire interview process. Her initial reaction was a combination of shock, dismay and bewilderment that no one had told her about the wardrobe malfunction at the time of the interview. She was also amazed that she’d been offered the job and hoped that it wasn’t the view of her from behind that closed the deal.

Years later, she still feels embarrassed when she recalls the incident. She never wore the suit again and eventually donated it to charity so she would not have to cringe every time she saw it hanging in her closet.

The moral of this story: Always check your image from both the front and the back before heading into an interview situation.

Put your best foot forward

When initiating job searches, many candidates purchase “interview uniforms”— that is, new clothing, shoes and accessories corresponding with the impression they want to make. This is not a bad idea, particularly if the clothing in your closet is not appropriate for the job you are hoping to land. It is important, however, that you not only look the part, but that your new clothes are comfortable, well-fitting and appropriate for the work you will be performing.

Case in point: When it comes to your shoes, putting your best foot forward is more than a matter of style.

A candidate for a managerial position in a large manufacturing company learned this the hard way. As part of the interview process, he was given a tour of the manufacturing plant. Before long, his feet began to burn in the spiffy new shoes he had purchased for the interview. To make matters worse, the shoes squeaked annoyingly. The candidate became so uncomfortable that he was unable to focus on anything but the noisy shoes and the painful blisters that were forming on his feet.

In the end, the candidate limped away and did not receive a job offer. Whether this outcome was directly related to his misstep, the lesson is clear.If you need new shoes to create an impeccable impression, by all means buy them. Just be sure to break them in before going on an interview.

It’s all in the details

When it comes down to whether a job offer goes to you or another candidate, you don’t want the decisive factor to be a detail you could have easily changed. Visible tattoos, jangly jewelry, exposed body parts, facial piercings, sports insignias, heavy make-up, blue fingernail polish or orange hair may demonstrate your creative, imaginative personality, but they are likely to detract from your image as a serious, responsible professional with leadership potential.

The details of personal hygiene and cleanliness are just as critical. A strong resume can be quickly overshadowed by a candidate’s bad breath or unpleasant body odor, including heavy perfume or after-shave. (Hint: Pop a breath mint in your mouth before you walk through the door.) The same goes for clothing that is stained, badly wrinkled or ill-fitting. Even new clothes can work against you if they are not properly tailored or you forget to remove the labels.

In a tight employment market, when employers receive literally hundreds of resumes for open positions, your appearance needs to work for you, not against you.

So before you leave home, take a serious look at yourself in a full-length mirror. Is the employer going to give your appearance a quick glance of approval, or will you lose points for missing shirt buttons, frayed sleeves or holes in the bottom of your shoes? It may seem unfair, but such details can give potential employers the impression that your work product will be as messy as your appearance. And no matter how well-prepared you are otherwise, that reaction is likely to cost you the job.